1974 LEYLAND LEOPARD PSU3/3R / ALEXANDER Y TYPE B53F
EX WESTERN AND NORTHERN SCOTTISH; LATTERLY OF SCARLET BAND MOTORS, COUNTY DURHAM.
REGISTRATION NO. SCS 333 M
Right: Lathalmond, March 2005 (Gordon Stirling)
THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - SCS 333 M
| DETAILS 1974 LEYLAND LEOPARD PSU3/3R / ALEXANDER Y TYPE B53F EX WESTERN AND NORTHERN SCOTTISH; LATTERLY OF SCARLET BAND MOTORS, COUNTY DURHAM. REGISTRATION NO. SCS 333 M Right: Lathalmond, March 2005 (Gordon Stirling) |
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SCS 333M was supplied new to Western SMT in June 1974 as L2464 in their classic black and white coach livery as C49F. It was one of a batch of 41, SCS 327 - 367M, based initially at Ayr. These leopards operated long-distance services during the summer of 1974, including Glasgow/London, complementing the Bristol REMH vehicles. Left: Part of the batch when new (Gordon Stirling Collection) |
SCS 333 M was painted into red/cream during the spring of 1977, was sold to Northern Scottish in December 1983 and was painted into Northern yellow and cream livery at Nursery Avenue, Kilmarnock, prior to transfer. Based in Aberdeen, the bus was allocated fleet number NPE134. Another 16 Western leopards were acquired by Northern during this period.
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In 1989, SCS 333 M was sold to Scarlet Band Motor Services of West Carnforth, Co Durham. During the next ten years, 53 bus seats were fitted for school service contracts. Power steering was also installed, and a red, white and yellow livery applied. In August 1999, SCS 333 M was acquired for preservation. The owner is Gordon Stirling Right: In SBMS livery as it arrived at Lathalmond (Jim Crichton Collection) |
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Jan /Feb 2002... A set of 49 DP seats was fitted including seatbelts - the seats were acquired from T type Leopards PRA110/2R. However, the seats originated from Western Scottish T type Seddons of the DSD..V batch. March 2002... Left: The proud owner in August 2002 - obviously recuperated (Gordon Stirling) |
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April 2002 -January 2003 ... Left: A replacement cab door was fitted and cab bulkhead timbers replaced. The cab door came out of Western Fleetline HSD76V - kindly donated by Alan Slimming. Keith the joiner excelled himself. Right: At this point a start was made on fitting new panels to both sides of the bus. I decided to fit new panels all round, and Raymond and John did a tremendous job with their usual attention to detail. The back end had obviously suffered accident damage during it's service days, and the box frame had to be repaired and straightened. The owner sanded the roof and stripped paint for months, whilst making the tea for the craftsmen, and cleaned and polished miles of aluminium mouldings - not to mention fitting the seats which required major surgery prior to fitting. The difference in width between the Alexander T and Y types meant that an inch had to be shaved off the seat brackets to avoid compromising the gangway clearance. April 2003 ... 333 was brush painted .....transfers, mouldings and plastic insert fitted. All that remains is work for an MOT to ready the bus for the road in 2004. |
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